Duler Ground set to host I-League matches in Goa

The Duler Ground in Mapusa, northern Goa, is all set to host the I-League matches in Goa until the Tilak Maidan in Vasco is ready, as was decided after a meeting between representatives of the four Goan I-League clubs and Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) representatives on Monday with Goa Football Assocation (GFA) president Srinivas Dempo also present.

Although a final official decision will only be taken once the four clubs and GFA inspect the Duler Ground on Tuesday morning, it was reliably learnt that since the Nehru Stadium in Margao can no longer host matches due to renovation work for next year’s Lusophony Games, the Duler Ground is the only alternative as Tilak Maidan is only likely to be ready in the last week of January.

However two round 12 fixtures – Salgaocar vs Sporting Clube de Goa and Churchill Brothers vs Air India – this weekend are likely to be postponed as some of the facilities at the Duler Ground like the stands, referee rooms, dressing rooms will need time to be ready for I-League use. But the clubs concerned are yet to write formally to the I-League committee about the need for postponement.

The Duler Ground has an artificial turf and has been hosting lower division and some professional league matches of the Goa League. But the stands are too close to the playing pitch and there is no provision for live television coverage also.

As a result the live television coverage of the Churchill Brothers – Mohun Bagan match, scheduled for December 29, has been cancelled with Churchill also raising concerns of hosting that match at Duler Ground due to security reasons.